Bahrain : As part of celebrations of the Golden Jubilee of the diplomatic ties between Bahrain and India, the retail sector took part in an event displaying a wide range of products from the two countries at the Lulu Hypermarket- Dana Mall.
With a focus on Bahraini and Indian products in its aisles, Lulu Hypermarket, one of the largest retail businesses in the region with roots in India, launched the 50th anniversary of contemporary Bahraini Indian relations with grand celebrations.
The festival was inaugurated by Indian Ambassador to Bahrain Piyush Srivastava in the presence of Nibras Mohammed Talib, the Assistant Undersecretary of Commercial Registration and Companies at the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Juzer Rupawala, Lulu Director of the Lulu Group and senior management of the Lulu Hypermarket. The ceremony was attended by Safa Sharif Al Khaliq, Acting CEO of Export Bahrain, businessmen, VIPs and officials from Indian and Bahraini clubs.
“Bahraini-Indian ties are an example of deep-rooted historical connection of civilizations and we have witnessed yesterday the historic moment of illumination of our icon monuments of Bab Al Bahrain in Indian tricolours and Quttab-Minar in Bahrain’s national colours,” Ambassador Srivastava said.
“I am so delighted to be taking part in the Bahrain-India Proud 50-years event by LuLu Hyper Market, who are associated with us in several events as part of these celebrations. Our relations are historically deep-rooted, driven by people to people ties, culturally connected. I am confident that in times to come our long-standing partnership will reach even greater heights. I look forward to the celebration of this civilizational connection together in the days to come with the Indian community, friends of the two countries and the Bahraini people.”
The diplomat thanked the Bahraini government and people who came forward “to celebrate this unique event in such a befitting manner.”
Nabras Talab expressed his delight over the 50-years of Bahrain-India diplomatic ties and hundreds to years of relations.
“Bahrain and India’s relations have been inter-exchanged for a very long time not only from economic aspects, but also from the social and political aspects,” he said.
“It’s very exciting that we are celebrating 50-years of diplomatic ties between the countries, and we hope to celebrate our relationship forever.”
It’s encouraging to organize events of this kind where different communities come together, he added.
“We would like to thank Lulu Hypermarket for putting up this event together for further strengthening the ties and bonds between the Bahraini community and people from abroad of different nations. It’s a wonderful experience and it’s not going to be the last and it will continue. Wem as the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism will be part of it and continue to promote it, hoping that such events will result in prosperity for both nations.”
Rupawala congratulated the leadership of the two countries on the Golden Jubilee.
“We know the friendly relationship between the two countries go much beyond this; it’s people to people, culture, food and music. We share much more, and we try to engage the Bahraini and Indian communities together as much as possible,” he said.
“We wanted to be part of this momentous occasion by placing the goods as part of our appreciation. We look forward to such partnerships with every country for that matter and we want to take this forward because Bahrain is a land which welcomes everyone freely and we are part of it.”
He said they worked closely with Export Bahrain, for example, to build a platform for goods made in Bahrain to reach their 215 hypermarket aisles around the world.
“We work together with the Directorate of Agriculture to create marketing space for Bahraini farmers’ produce and the products of the Productive Families’ Unit in our hypermarkets. We are delighted to showcase Lulu’s connection with the Bahraini and Indian community and also the many channels of commercial support that we offer Bahraini companies and Indian suppliers,” he said.
